Cycling News  

Peat – downhill should be an Olympic sport

As Britain's most successful World Cup downhill rider, when Steve Peat airs his views most people are willing to listen. 
 
But perhaps not the powers that decide which cycling disciplines deserve to be an Olympic sport. 
 
For whilst last weekend's UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Fort William provided one of the final opportunities for cross-country riders to stake their claim for an Olympic bib in Beijing, Sheffield based Peat is among the elite downhill riders disappointed that his fast and furious discipline hasn't been invited to join the Olympic party.
 
Having picked up 14 World Cup wins during his career to date and a bronze at last weekend's World Cup, the straight talking 33 year-old said of the Olympic snub:
 
"It's a huge disappointment. It (downhill) should have been in the Olympics eight years ago if not before. I mean, it's such a good spectator friendly event. Think of the amount of people you get in Fort William for the World Cup (20,000 plus). I don't think there can be many Olympic sports that attract that many hardcore fans. It's a real shame."